English

This kind of rice, Kabasag,

When I saw for the first time,
The stalks were heavy with grain.
When I returned and looked again,
Empty and flat were the heads!

Filipino

Ang palay kong Kabasag

Nang minsan kong namatyag
Uhay ay sangkatutak
Nang balikan ko't tingnan
Uhay ay mangahungkag!

English

The little black bird Sawi,

So hereabouts its was told,
Had a tail long and pretty.
But the bird when it grew big,
Tail, alas, shorter it grew,
Struck by lightning as storm blew.

Filipino

Ibong si Sawi-sawi
Noon pa man ang huni
Buntot, mahabang dili
Subalit nang lumaki
Buntot ko ay umiksi
Kinidlat, binuhawi!